114 M. de Poller on the Pleafures of the Mind 
This principle does not hold good of the mind 
only, but is equally applicable to every other 
component part of our being. There is an 
agreeable fenfation annexed to whatever exercil'es 
the organs of the body without weakening them j 
and in the fentiments or emotions of the heart , 
whatever keeps clear of the tumult of the pafiions, 
is attended with a degree of pleafure. Proofs of 
thefe pofitions might be brought innumerable, 
but would probably be unneceffary. Mod of the 
ancient philofophers have laid them down, as the 
foundation of their ideas of human perfedtion: 
and there are few perfons, I believe, of any 
reflection and experience, who have not felt 
the truth of them in themfelves, or obferved 
it in others. Jlluftrations might, perhaps, be 
more agreeable than proofs j but in a fubjedt 
of fuch an extent, and which embraces no lefs 
than the whole circle of phyfiology, ethics, and 
Belles Lettres, it is neceffary to confine onefelf, 
and I fhall therefore do no more at prefent, than 
offer to the Society fome few imperfect remarks, 
on l'uch works of art, as give exercife to the mind, 
and come, chiefly, under the province of that 
faculty of the underftanding, known by the 
jiame of 'Tafle. This choice is not altogether 
arbitrary. Mere intellectual pleafures, however 
agreeable in themfelves, by overtraining the 
mind, become at length painful. Organic enjoy* 
ments lad onlyas long as we are invigour. But the 
pleafures 
